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Choosing the best HDTV antenna

Plus tips on how to install it

Steve Kindig has been an electronics enthusiast for over 30 years. He has written extensively about home and car A/V gear for Crutchfield since 1985. Steve is also a volunteer DJ at community radio station WTJU, where he is a regular host of the American folk show "Atlantic Weekly," as well as the world music program "Radio Tropicale."

TV antennas may seem like relics from the last century, but plenty of viewers are using an antenna to eliminate or reduce their monthly cable/satellite TV bill, and enjoy a better picture from their HDTVs.

In this article, we'll discuss the advantages of over-the-air (OTA) reception and explain how to find digital TV signals in your local TV market and in nearby cities. We'll introduce the different types of TV antennas and tell you which ones perform best under various reception conditions. And we'll offer tips on how to install larger attic- and roof-mount antennas.

Over-the-air HDTV signals look better than cable or satellite

The switch to digital TV broadcasting has eliminated the most annoying picture distortions — snow and ghosting — that made analog off-air reception so hit-or-miss. With digital TV signals (both standard-definition and high-definition), you'll either see a crisp, ghost-free picture or no picture at all. Because local and syndicated programming may not be in high-definition, it's typical for local stations to broadcast their digital signals in standard-definition during the day, then switch to full widescreen HDTV during primetime.

Even if you've never used an off-air antenna before, there are several good reasons to consider adding one to your other TV signal sources:

Local digital TV broadcasts are everywhere: Although the widest selection of digital TV broadcasts are found in big cities, over 99% of U.S. TV households have access to at least one local digital station; 89% can get five or more stations. You can learn which stations in your area are providing digital broadcasts by visiting the TV Fool website listed below.

Over-the-air digital reception provides the best picture quality: Cable and satellite providers offer tons of channels, but to do this they use data compression or other techniques that compromise picture quality, resulting in a "soft" image, distracting video artifacts (distortion), or both. Off-air antenna reception is the best way to enjoy HDTV programs at the full resolution the TV networks intended.

Over-the-air signals are free: Aside from the costs to purchase and install an antenna, receiving over-the-air HDTV is free.

Access to all your local channels: Cable and satellite TV providers may not carry all the local channels in your area, or may not offer them in high definition. Also, contract disagreements between local cable operators and local broadcasters can mean that major networks may not be available via cable TV in your area.

Access to out-of-town channels: With the right equipment and reception conditions, some viewers may even be able to receive out-of-town channels, some of which may carry sports programs that are locally blacked out.

If you bought your HDTV anytime during the past 8 years or so, it should have a built-in tuner for receiving digital over-the-air broadcasts. If you have an older "HDTV-ready" TV that only receives analog signals, you'll need to connect it to a separate HDTV tuner.

True HD tuners are hard to find these days; you may run across inexpensive digital TV converter boxes, but those can only provide standard-definition video, not crystal-clear high def. And if you're currently subscribed to an HDTV package from satellite providers DIRECTV® or DISH®, your HD satellite receiver probably includes an over-the-air HD tuner.

Finding over-the-air TV signals

TV signal transmission is considered to be "line of sight." Getting reliable DTV reception beyond the curvature of the earth (approximately 70 miles) is difficult. And if mountains or tall buildings lie between the transmitter tower(s) and your home, they can cause reception problems. So, the first step is to locate the transmitters for your local stations.

The quick, easy way to get information that's specific to your address is to visit the TV Fool antenna selector website. Once you enter your address, you'll see a list of local stations. Each station has a color-coded indicator showing which type of antenna is recommended for best reception. (We'll cover the different antenna types in the next section.)

Now that you know the direction and distance of the local TV stations you can receive, let's see which type of antenna will work best for you.

TV antenna basics

There is no one magic antenna or antenna type that will deliver excellent TV reception in every location. The main factors determining reception are the distance and direction from the TV station transmitters to your home. Other factors include the transmitter's power and the height of its tower, the terrain between the tower and your antenna, and the size and location of any large buildings in the path of the transmission.

If you live within a few miles of the transmitter, and the signal path is relatively unobstructed, you may be able to get adequate reception using a small set-top indoor antenna. But as you move farther away, getting usable signal strength becomes trickier. This is where careful antenna selection and installation become essential.

The information below will help you zero in on the type(s) of antenna that should work best for you. Keep in mind that even in the same neighborhood reception conditions often vary from house to house. For that reason, it's best to purchase your antenna from a dealer who offers no-hassle returns with a money-back guarantee.

VHF and UHF

Like analog signals, digital TV signals can be broadcast over two different frequency ranges: VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency). The VHF channel range is 2-13 — "low-band" VHF is channels 2-6; "high-band VHF is channels 7-13. The UHF channel range is 14-51. There are nearly 1,800 full-power TV stations across the country, including 1300+ UHF, around 450 high-band VHF, and fewer than 50 low-band VHF.

If some of the local stations you want to receive are below 14, you may need a VHF/UHF antenna — especially to receive channels 2-6. A station's channel number is usually obvious, but occasionally it can be confusing because the FCC requires digital stations to embed a "reference" to their analog channel so viewers won't have to memorize a whole new set of channel numbers. So, your TV might identify a digital station as being in the VHF range when it's actually in the UHF range. For example, Richmond's CBS station is known as "Channel 6," but its true digital channel is 25.

What is the difference between UHF and VHF antennas? Mainly size. Antenna elements are based on the size of the waves they're designed to receive, and VHF frequencies are lower so the waves are longer, requiring a larger antenna surface to receive them. It's possible to build a much more elaborate UHF antenna with more elements for stronger reception while keeping the antenna size physically manageable.

Uni-directional vs. multi-directional TV antennas

Antennas described as "uni-directional" or sometimes just "directional" are designed to receive signals from one direction. "Multi-directional" or "omni-directional" antennas are able to receive signals from all directions.

The illustration on the left shows the typical narrow, focused reception pattern of a uni-directional antenna; the pattern on the right shows the broader pattern of a multi-directional antenna. Images from hdtvprimer.com

Directional antennas are able to pull in signals from greater distances, and because they "see" in only one direction they are resistant to noise and "multipath distortion" (a problem created when an antenna receives reflections of the desired signal). Because multi-directional antennas "see" in many directions they are more likely to pick up noise, interference, and multipath distortion.

If you used the tools on the previous page to locate your desired stations, you should have an accurate picture of their direction in relation to your home. If all of those stations are transmitting from an area covering a range of 20° or less, you can probably receive them using a uni-directional antenna. If the transmitters are positioned more than 20° apart, try a multi-directional antenna. As an alternative to a multi-directional antenna, you might consider combining a uni-directional antenna with a "rotor," which lets you remotely rotate the antenna to pick up stations in multiple directions.

Indoor vs. outdoor antennas

Two basic antenna types. On the left is an indoor antenna with compact receiving elements less than 12 inches long. On the right is a large outdoor roof-mount model measuring 8 feet.

Indoor antennas are generally small, designed to be placed on or near your TV. Outdoor antennas tend to be significantly larger and are intended for roof- or attic-mounting. In general, the larger an antenna's surface area is, the stronger the signal it will provide. The relative strength of the signal an antenna can deliver to a tuner is referred to as "gain" and is measured in decibels (dB). The higher the dB rating, the greater the gain.

Nearly all outdoor antennas perform better than even the best indoor antennas. Along with their size disadvantage, indoor antennas have a height disadvantage, and are adversely affected by the walls of a house and even by movement of people in the room. Other sources of household interference include fluorescent lights, computers and cordless phones.

Amplified vs. non-amplified antennas

One way to help antennas overcome size or height disadvantages, or otherwise enhance signal gain, is through the use of electronic amplification. The amplifier can be built in as it is in many indoor antennas, or it can be a separate device that installs in-line between the antenna and TV. An amplifier that installs on an outdoor antenna or mast is often called a preamplifier or "preamp." Most experts recommend only using an amplifier if you need to. The potential drawbacks of amplifiers are that they amplify noise along with the signal, and they can be overdriven by strong signals, which can make reception worse.

Other good antenna info resources

If you know of any neighbors who are using an antenna, find out what type/model it is and how well it performs. You could also try calling local TV stations with your antenna questions. It's definitely in their interest to help their viewers improve reception.

The AVS Forum's local HDTV message boards are also an excellent source for info on digital TV reception; they're loaded with great suggestions and solutions to particular reception problems in locations ranging from big cities to small towns and rural communities.

Whether you're considering installing an antenna yourself or having one professionally installed, the next section offers basic tips on roof- and attic-mounting, and cabling.

My attic antenna rocks!

Several years ago I was determined to see the major network channels in high definition. I had a new HDTV, and I wanted to feed it the best possible signal (this was before Blu-ray arrived).

At the time the cable provider in the Charlottesville didn't offer HD service, and DIRECTV and DISH only provided network feeds to folks with waivers, which were becoming harder and harder to get. So, the answer had to be getting over-the-air HD broadcasts somehow.

Richmond is a much larger city than Charlottesville, with many more TV stations broadcasting in digital. I knew of two other Crutchfield employees who'd had success using an attic-mount antenna to receive Richmond stations, so I decided to give it a try. I used the web tools listed on page 1 of this article to locate the stations and learned that my house is over 60 miles from the transmitters. I ordered the same gear my coworkers used. (Those specific models are gone but have been replaced by the Channel Master 4228HD "deep fringe" UHF antenna and 7777 preamplifier.)

I'd had some rewiring done in my home the previous year, and the electrician had run lines of RG-6 cable from the wiring center in my basement to several rooms, as well as a line up into the attic. That simplified my installation a lot. I used a pocket compass to aim the antenna (most long-range antennas are very directional so if your aim is off just a little it can really hurt your reception). My roof actually has two layers of asphalt shingles, so I wasn't at all sure I'd be able to pull in signals from so far away.

First, I tried just the antenna alone, and while I could receive most of the Richmond stations, I wasn't getting CBS, and Fox was breaking up occasionally. Adding the preamp did the trick. Before installing the antenna/preamp combo, I was getting only spotty HD reception of Charlottesville's NBC station using a small indoor antenna. After, my reception of CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, and PBS out of Richmond was rock-steady and clear as a bell — from 63 miles away!

Steve Kindig

Antenna cabling: always use 75-ohm coax cable

Whether you want to install an antenna on your roof, on a pole, or in your attic, using the right kind of cable is crucial. The two types of wire commonly used to connect an antenna to a TV are 300-ohm twin-lead and 75-ohm coax. Twin-lead is a flat wire, while coax cable looks like the round cable installed in homes for cable TV service. In recent years, virtually all TVs have gone to the coax-style connection.

Coax cable is superior to twin-lead in every way and should be used if possible. Even if your home has an existing run of twin-lead cable, consider replacing it with coax. Twin-lead is not shielded and the entire length of wire can act like an antenna, which may cause reception problems. Coax cable is shielded, which prevents signals from leaking into or out of your system. Coax cable is also unaffected by your home's electrical wiring or by contact with metal objects. And coax has a much longer lifespan than twin-lead.

Antenna cabling tips:

For the best performance and reliability, use high-quality UL-rated dual- or quad-shield RG-6 cable

Cable should run as directly as possible from the antenna to the tuner; try to minimize the number of splices

Avoid sharp bends in the cable as they can impair performance

If the antenna is installed outdoors (including on the roof) run the cable into the house through an attic or basement if possible; never run the cable through a window or door

Outdoor antennas should be grounded for lightning protection. Place a grounding block where the antenna cable enters the house and run a wire from the grounding block to your home's ground rod. This is not only an important safety consideration but also a potential code requirement

Outdoor connections should be protected from exposure to the elements by applying silicone grease to the connection and covering it with a weather boot

Tips on installing an outdoor antenna

Large outdoor antennas can be installed on a roof or a free-standing pole, and many can be installed in an attic. For the best results, your antenna should have the clearest possible "view" of the transmitter tower. That is achieved with a roof- or pole-mount installation (attic-mount installation is covered below).

People living in neighborhoods with homeowners' associations may wonder if association covenants can restrict antenna use. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 prohibits restrictions that impair the installation or use of antennas to receive video programming. It covers digital satellite dishes, TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas.

Most TV antennas designed for roof- and/or attic-mounting include a mounting mast. Here are some general tips for roof-mount antenna applications:

Locate and avoid power lines and other wires in the work area

Do not climb on a wet or icy roof

Do not attempt high installations on windy days

Do not climb onto a roof when there is no one else around

Do not install an antenna under large, overhanging tree branches if it can be avoided

If possible, avoid chimney-mounting an antenna as smoke and gases from the chimney can impair the antenna's performance and shorten its life

When you're aiming the antenna, use a compass to ensure your antenna is accurately and precisely oriented toward the signal source. At this stage, it's best to have a helper who can check picture quality and relay the information to you. (Most, but not all HDTVs and HDTV tuners include an onscreen signal strength meter.) Be sure to check the picture on all channels you want to receive before securing the antenna in place.

If you plan to use an antenna in addition to a digital satellite TV system, you have a couple of options. One fairly easy solution is to attach a "clip-on" antenna to your satellite dish. Such antennas have built-in "diplexers" that combine the satellite and antenna signals onto a single cable, which can eliminate the need to run new cable. You'll need to install a diplexer at each satellite receiver to provide separate connections to the "Satellite In" and "Antenna In" jacks. A clip-on antenna usually performs better than an indoor antenna, but not as good as a larger outdoor antenna.

Attic installation

Compared to roof-mounting, installing an antenna in your home's attic has several appealing advantages: installation is much easier, the antenna is hidden from view, and the antenna and connections are not directly exposed to harsh weather.

A Channel Master long-range antenna mounted in an attic. This antenna is about 40" square. The small box sprouting cables near the bottom of the mast is part of Channel Master's 7777 preamplifier.

The main disadvantage of attic-mounting is poorer reception. As an example, a single layer of asphalt shingles over a standard plywood roof creates a 30%-50% reduction in signal strength. Attic-mounting can be an effective option in areas where strong signals are present. To maintain adequate signal strength, an amplifier or preamp is often used.

Other potential obstacles to attic-mounting include a metal roof, aluminum siding, metal gutters, or foil-backed insulation in your walls or under the roof. Any of these conditions can result in signal interference or blockage. If that happens, try installing the antenna in a different location. For the best reliability and performance, mount the antenna to a mast and don't let the antenna touch the attic floor.

Comments

Matt from MechanicsvilleMD

I am confused. I'm seeing "amplified" over-the-air antennas on Amazon. Does this mean I have to run electricity to the antenna on the roof? Please advise. I'm less than 40 miles from Washington DC, I don't THINK I need an amplified antenna, do I?

Posted on 4/23/2015 9:33:14 AM

Peter G from Charlotte NC

To Matt from M'ville
The power for the amplifier can be carried up the same coax cable that the signal is coming down form the antenna on. The amplifier shoudl be placed as close to the antenna as possible to amplify the signal before cable losses. A power inserter can be located at a convenient location in the house where the coax comes out (near the TV or at a splitter).
At 40 miles from DC, you will likley need a good attic or rooftop antenna and may find amplifying the signal is helpful. Be aware that the amplifier is really only strengthening the signal for long cable runs and splitters. The signal itself will be a function of the antenna and its location.

Posted on 4/30/2015 4:29:51 PM

Don

"Coax cable is superior to twin-lead in every way and should be used if possible." I'm no expert, just a guy who has used both, and I would bet that in the experience of most OTA enthusiasts (of the ones that are attentive to detail only) would show that the above statement just isn't true. This is especially true of using a small "outdoor" antenna indoors (I am not speaking of the typical "indoor antenna").
"Twin-lead is not shielded and the entire length of wire can act like an antenna, which may cause reception problems."...or it picks up more stations than coax because coax is so shielded that suffocates the entire purpose which is to pick up signals.
"Coax cable is shielded, which prevents signals from leaking into or out of your system. Coax cable is also unaffected by your home's electrical wiring or by contact with metal objects. And coax has a much longer lifespan than twin-lead." Coax was designed for carrying steady signals from the line source, it is not made for Over-The-Air.

Posted on 5/1/2015 8:28:59 PM

bill from goodysville

Matt ....the amplifier goes in the line going to your tv ...so no you don't need electric to your roof......if you get one of those antennas that turn with a motor they use the coax cable to feed the motor with electric

Posted on 5/16/2015 10:59:23 PM

Peter Batista from Oakton VA

For someone that has been tracking your work since the days when you would spec car dimensions for sound equipment in your magazine, this is excellent and continues to show the quality of your work. Thanks!

Posted on 5/22/2015 8:52:35 AM

wayne davies from houston, tx 77090

on either n indoor or outdoor antenna can you watch one program and record a different program?

ok there was a lighting strike 3houses down the street. our tv went dark. the tv still turns on plays movies. but no over the air reception. does the antena have any thing in it that would be fryed. not amplfied. i used an in line amp to bost tv stations worked great. total leangth of coaxe is 125' ran from adit to basement across the basement. 1spitter 2 tvs.

Posted on 8/1/2015 12:40:24 PM

rick from harrisburg

I was wondering if using an indoor antenna in a basement setting would provide me reception. According to TVFOOL the stations I would want are within 18 miles, with most within 7 miles of my home. Thanks for your help

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